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Looping Transitions
For a printable copy, click here:Looping Transitions
One of the major concerns brought up in discussions in my classes has been the problem of making effective transitions. I have also noticed in class papers that although they are well organized, better transitions could be use to help the reader move smoothly through the report.

I have found that a method that I call “looping transitions” will help you organize your paper, will help readers move smoothly from idea to idea, and help your audience understand your ideas better. I call it looping because if you print the paper out and draw lines between the repeated words and phrases, you’ll see a loop developing. This loop connects the thesis statement to each paragraph and each paragraph to each other paragraph. Try it!

One of my former class members, Tina, has kindly given me permission to use her Position Paper to help the class understand “looping transitions.” As you read this paper, notice that I have added transitional sentences at the beginning of each of her major idea paragraphs. I have also added a few shorter transition words and phrases. In the printable version, I have color coded the loops.

Alternate Work Week
Traffic is getting worse by the minute. The commute that used to take me 45 minutes is now taking me 1-½ hours. (1) It could also mean a decrease in absenteeism thus alleviating disruptions in the work. (2) An alternate workweek could (also) mean less time on the congested highways. (3)In addition, an alternate workweek would definitely increase morale. Who wouldn’t be ecstatic to have every Friday off? I would like to implement a 4/10-work schedule at my office.
A 4/10-work schedule is an alternate work week, essentially consisting of four 10-hour days with one day off a week. The employees in my office could alternate days off. We can work with our manager to create a schedule. On the day I am out, my co-worker would cover any important phone calls that may come in. He/She would also be able to answer any important questions that may not be able to wait until I return on Monday. Having a back-up person, on an alternating schedule, would cause less disruption to the office.
In order to keep the office running smoothly, I will have to keep my manager informed of all aspects. We would continue to meet on a weekly basis to ensure that all are informed of any issues. During this meeting, I can provide the manager with my task log. The task log will allow the manager to answer questions that may arise on items I may have been working on. Communication is key if we are to keep the office running smoothly with the fewest possible disruptions.

(1) An alternate workweek would decrease disruptions. Disruptions to the work in any company should be few and far between. I can use my day off to schedule any doctor or dentist appointments. This would mean that I would use fewer sick days during my regular work schedule. I could also use my day off as a mental health day to rejuvenate myself for the coming week. The stress level would definitely decrease because of this and work would continue uninterrupted.

(2) Not only would a 4-10 work week ,decrease interruptions it would also mean spendingless time on congested highways. Stress plays a role even before I arrive at the office because of the daily traffic jams. My hours would be such that I miss the daily traffic jams. What a stress buster! My schedule could be from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. thus enabling me to be on the road and off before any major traffic jams occurred. With one less car on the highway, we are one step closer to solving our problem of overcrowded roadways.

(3) And finally, being able to work a 4/10 schedule would not only mean fewer disruptions to work, and less stressful time on highways, but it would INCREASE MORALE, making for a happier and more productive workplace.

So in summary, being able to work a 4/10 schedule would mean using fewer disruptive sick days, spending less stressful time on the freeways in gridlock highway traffic and INCREASE EMPLOYEE MORALE. All of these would mean higher productivity.